Safeguarding people with insecure migration status

Onkar Sahota: What steps does the GLA take to ensure it does not expose people using its services to migration enforcement?

The Mayor: The GLA does not share personal data with any third parties unless they are providing services to us under contract or other formal agreement or disclosure is permitted by, or required by, law. Full details of the GLA’s Privacy Policy are available here.
I have been unequivocal in my opposition to the Government’s hostile environment policies which have been evidenced to cause discrimination, and leave people at risk of destitution, detention and deportation.
We are working to help rough sleepers keep safe and self-isolate in hotels, and I have been clear that City Hall and services supporting this work won’t share people’s data with the Home Office without their explicit and informed consent.
I have also invested an unprecedented amount into immigration advice and support to ensure that Londoners can access their rights to residency and citizenship and their future in our city.

Accessible COVID-19 advice and recovery

Onkar Sahota: How will you ensure that groups facing barriers, for instance, language or digital access, will be aware of your coronavirus guidance through the pandemic and into recovery?

The Mayor: It is vital that up to date Covid-19 related information is translated so that nobody is left behind in the fight against coronavirus. To partly address that, the languages section on the GLA’s Covid-19 guidance hub continues to be populated and updated. I am also advocating for central government to address the current lack of translated advice and guidance.
I am supporting Doctors of the World to sustain their work in regularly translating government guidance in more than 60 languages. I also plan to distribute and amplify translated mental health and wellbeing information. That, alongside the stakeholders’ toolkit my team is producing, will ensure that written, audio, video, printable and printed assets reach Londoners who speak limited English and lack digital resources.
As government guidelines evolve, I plan to extend our marketing campaign further to include updated health and Test and Trace guidance and engage digitally isolated Londoners through targeted community engagement and print distribution.

EU Settlement Scheme and COVID-19 (1)

Leonie Cooper: Across the UK applications to the EU Settlement Scheme fell significantly in May (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics-may-2020). At the time of submitting this question, regional data covering this period is not yet available. However, it is almost certain that applications in London will have mirrored those across the UK and will have fallen. Do you share my concerns that the coronavirus appears to have led to a decrease in applications to the EU Settlement Scheme in London?

The Mayor: I share your concern that the Government must make adequate adjustments to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to protect European Londoners and their family members from COVID-19.
The most recent statistics (up to 30th June) show that of the 3,460,000 applications concluded, 41 per cent have resulted in pre-settled status. This is a significant number of people who are at risk of getting caught out by the impact of coronavirus.
My officials are liaising closely with the Home Office to ensure European Londoners can access their rights. I'm calling on Government to ensure that nobody's access to the EU Settlement Scheme is negatively impacted by COVID-19.

EU Settlement Scheme and COVID-19 (2)

Leonie Cooper: Do you agree that the continuous residency requirement of the EU Settlement for those with pre-settled status, awaiting settled status, should be modified to ensure that no Londoner is denied settled status as a result of quarantining or being stranded abroad due to the coronavirus?

The Mayor: I, along with many European Londoners and their families, share your concerns that COVID-19 is impacting their ability to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
I know that some have been caught abroad and now worry about the impact it will have on their eligibility to apply, and some have ID documents that have expired but struggle to renew them as embassies face a large backlog. It is clear that we lost valuable time when the Home Office had to shut their Settlement Resolution Centre.
I continue to support specialist organisations in reaching European Londoners with advice on the EU Settlement Scheme, albeit remotely, and promote the EU Londoners Hub which hosts useful information.
I also continue to call on the Home Secretary to consider the serious impact that the pandemic has had on the EU Settlement Scheme and extend the deadline to ensure no one is left behind.

Congestion Charge exemptions: Equality Impact Assessment

Gareth Bacon: Can the Mayor confirm that TfL undertook an Equality Impact Assessment prior to the decision not to allow private hire vehicles exemption from the Congestion Charge?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) undertook a full Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), including an Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) of the recently announced temporary changes to the Congestion Charge. TfL identified the impacts of the changes on Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers as part of this. The full document can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/appendices_1-4_1.pdf
TfL also undertook an EqIA prior to the removal of the PHV exemption in April 2019. The document can be found here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/policy/private-hire-charge-exemption/user_uploads/changes-to-congestion-charge-scheme-integrated-impact-assessment.pdf

E-Scooters

Tony Devenish: While welcoming trials on e-scooters what insurance provisions will TfL require to ensure both the rider and others do not become a burden on our NHS?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL), in collaboration with London Councils and the London boroughs, is considering conducting e-scooter trials. Safety is TfL’s first priority and, if it does undertake trials, operators will be required to follow appropriate safety standards. Any operators would also be required to maintain insurance cover required by law in relation to the recent classification of the rental e-scooters as motor vehicles. TfL will also work with the London boroughs to ensure the promotion of orderly parking and e-scooter use. Furthermore, TfL will work with the London boroughs, and with highway authorities outside London, to understand the implications of e-scooters for road surface inspections and maintenance.
TfL will not seek authorisation from DfT for any trial unless it is sufficiently satisfied with the approach of the companies in question.
No decisions have yet been taken about where a trial might take place, but I expect this to become clearer in the coming weeks.

Driverless Trains (1)

Tony Devenish: Do you accept that the Tube staffing issues over the last few months have underlined the benefits of driverless Tube trains in terms of both reliability and maximising capacity?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is now running transport services at near-normal levels. TfL staff continue to do a fantastic job, working hard to support the NHS and protect all Londoners. Their efforts to keep London’s essential workers moving are nothing short of remarkable and I am so proud of the way they’ve continued to deliver these services.
There are no Tube lines that would be able to operate without drivers without any signalling upgrades, new infrastructure or new trains. The London Underground system is an extremely complex environment, particularly the deep Tube lines. For reasons of safety, they are not suitable for driverless trains and there are no plans for their introduction, as I have previously set out.

Tube Stations (1)

Tony Devenish: When will all tube stations be reopening to facilitate getting London's economy back to as near normal as possible?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) had to close a number of Tube stations during the peak of the pandemic due to high levels of absence among frontline station staff. TfL carefully chose the stations to close, taking into consideration a variety of factors including choosing quieter stations that didn't interchange with other lines and/or with national rail services, and those that had alternative routes/stations in close proximity. This allowed TfL to keep stations open near key locations such at hospitals while staff levels were down and continue to serve busier parts of the network.
TfL has already reopened a number of stations (24 as of 21 July 2020) that had been closed and is working to reopen the remaining stations as soon as they can. There is currently no date set for this, and the situation is kept under regular review according to staff availability and Government advice.

TfL’s Monitoring of its Bus Contractors’ Covid-19 Risk Reduction Actions

Caroline Pidgeon: Based on your response to 2020/1623, can I assume that no TfL employees are carrying out on-site monitoring of bus contractors Covid-19 risk reduction actions?

The Mayor: The safety of our bus drivers is of the utmost importance to me. There has been extremely careful observance of social distancing at bus sites: not only were bus operational managers inspecting these areas, but union representatives were also stood down from their normal roles to support this. Transport for London (TfL) officers additionally helped agree and inspect safety modifications to vehicles to isolate the drivers more from passengers. The arrangements helped to reinforce safer working practices allowing for staff avaialblity while many TfL staff were working from home or furloughed to safeguard them and their families as much as possible.
As I set out in my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/1623, there have been very significant risk reduction measures put in place during this public health crisis, and any significant concerns can be raised at regular network conference calls or separately between Unite the union and TfL.

384 bus

Andrew Dismore: The Mayoral response to the Victoria Quarter planning application (GLA/5034/AB/01, 20/1719/FUL, page 75 para 72) asks for a contribution of £90,000 pa for 5 years to strengthen the 384 service. This would alter the viability of the existing route and provide a valid reason to at least postpone route changes until the outcome of the planning application is known. Will you consider this?

The Mayor: The £450,000 over five years is intended to provide an uplift to the 384’s capacity to take into account additional bus journeys made by the new residents of the Victoria Quarter development when it becomes occupied. The development is mixed use, and includes proposals for 652 new homes. Transport for London anticipates these residents may also use the bus to travel to London Underground stations at High Barnet or Cockfosters and the sum requested would allow it to provide an additional journey during peak times. The contribution is therefore required irrespective of any proposed changes elsewhere on the route. The application is currently being considered by Barnet Council.

Social integration refocus

Jennette Arnold: Will you be reviewing your Social Integration strategy in light of the inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Mayor: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of my Social Integration Strategy; reminding us why building meaningful relationships, tackling inequality and improving participation are fundamental to healthy, resilient communities. The way in which communities across London have come together has been central to our response to this crisis.
The pandemic has disproportionately impacted BAME Londoners, and other vulnerable groups. It has laid bare existing inequalities,amplified and exposed the extent of their impact, and created new contextswhere inequalities can embed. Therefore, we must continue our focus on addressing structural inequalities, which the London Recovery Board has identified as a cross-cutting principle.
We will adapt our policies and programmes to deliver in this new context - reviewing the mechanism of the London Family Fund, moving parts of WIN online and addressing the increasing need for support for loneliness and isolation. We are working closely with stakeholders to do this and will continue to work with the social and economic recovery boards to ensure these support social integration outcomes in London.

ESOL Plus and COVID-19

Jennette Arnold: What impact has COVID-19 had on your ESOL-Plus programme?

The Mayor: I awarded ESOL Plus Arts funding to four organisations in February 2020. ESOL Plus Arts promotes collaboration between ESOL and the arts, culture and heritage sectors, which have been gravely hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 and the lockdown impacted on planned face-to face provision but organisations have risen to the challenge to continue supporting Londoners with limited English. In particular, the language barrier and digital inequality that some ESOL learners face has required increased support.
All ESOL Plus projects have adapted during the pandemic varying the length, frequency and size of courses. These projects have now started and will provide a record of learners’ voice during the pandemic through creative mediums.
Key findings from all our ESOL Plus projects are contributing to planning for the recovery phase. In addition, we are continuing to support practitioners delivering English languages activities, including adding a list of useful ESOL resources on the GLA website and delivering sessions to share best practice.

Emergency decision-making during the coronavirus crisis (2)

Siân Berry: Could you release all documents, including emails, relating to the decision on 20 March 2020 and implemented on 23 March, to suspend the ULEZ, Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone.

The Mayor: Due to the unprecedented circumstances created by the coronavirus pandemic, with announcements by the Government to work from home where possible from 16 March 2020, social distancing measures being introduced and impending lockdown becoming a certainty, the decision to suspend the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was made on 20 March 2020.
The suspension took effect on 23 March 2020, the same date the national lockdown was announced to facilitate the movement of London’s critical workers and freight vehicles, whose journeys were essential to the early response to the coronavirus pandemic.
I have asked TfL to provide you with a copy of the decision.

Workforce Integration Network and COVID-19 (2)

Jennette Arnold: How will your WIN help address the unequal impact of unemployment and low pay as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Mayor: At its core, the WIN programme was designed to address the issues of workplace inequalities and the impact this has on specific groups. Over the last year, we have engaged over 100 businesses on the specific issue of underrepresentation of young Black men in the workplace. The pandemic has clearly had a disproportionate effect on BAME Londoners, highlighting these entrenched inequalities and the impact they have had.
Without support many Londoners on low wages and from BAME backgrounds will suffer deepening economic hardship. Through the programme we will continue to support employers to act on these inequalities and double our efforts to prevent further divergence.
We will work with businesses across London, both those doing well in the crisis and those deeply affected, to look at their policies and practices to ‘build back better’, ensuring that the recovery is fairer as we move towards a city where all Londoners can thrive.

Brexit

Peter Whittle: On 23 June 2020, you tweeted: ‘Four years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU. Four years on, we still have no sign of a deal. The PM needs to put politics aside and extend the Brexit transition period so that our businesses and public services aren’t forced to face yet another cliff edge.’ Why is it you still find yourself unable to accept the will of the British People, as expressed in the democratic outcome of the referendum vote in 2016?

The Mayor: Our country is facing the biggest health, social and economic emergency since the Second World War. No one could have anticipated that Brexit trade negotiations would take place at a time when all governments are rightly focused on fighting a global pandemic. It is clear to me that the negotiations with the EU are not making sufficient progress towards a comprehensive trade deal which would minimise the negative impact of Brexit on our economy. The last thing the country needs as it tries to find a way back from the devastation wreaked by Coronavirus, is the chaos that will result from failure to agree a trade deal. I have therefore urged the Government to be pragmatic and seek an extension to the transition period to give businesses and public services the breathing space they urgently need to focus on surviving and recovering from the pandemic.

Brexit and the transition period (2)

Susan Hall: Any extension to the transition period would push the UK into the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027, the financial implications of which are unknown since the EU has failed to reach an agreement. Given this financial uncertainty and potential huge cost to the UK taxpayer, why are you continuing to push for an extension to the period?

The Mayor: Our country is facing the biggest health, social and economic emergency since the Second World War. The economic costs of leaving the Single Market and Customs Union with a very poor trade agreement or none at all in less than six months’ time, would far outweigh a potential financial contribution to the EU to maintain market access. An extension to the transition period would allow businesses and public services the breathing space they urgently need to focus on surviving and recovering from the pandemic.

Charities and the Congestion Charge

Jennette Arnold: Rhythms of Life are a charity that are based outside the congestion charging zone but working within the zone to deliver food to homeless people. The cost of driving in the zone is making this work more challenging. What exemptions are currently offered to charities such as this who are based outside the zone but work primarily within the congestion charging zone?

The Mayor: To mitigate the impact of the temporary changes to the Congestion Charge, I have asked Transport for London (TfL) to introduce a new reimbursement scheme specifically for domiciliary care workers contracted or funded by a local authority, local authority staff, charity staff and volunteers who are undertaking journeys to directly support vital Covid-19 response work within the Congestion Charge Zone. This includes delivery of food, medicine, cleaning or hygiene supplies (including personal protective equipment) to vulnerable individuals.
This reimbursement scheme recognises the vital role that charities are playing in supporting vulnerable people who are particularly impacted by Covid-19. Whilst I recognise the important role that all charities play in London life, the reimbursement scheme is not intended to reimburse routine activity. This is to ensure that the temporary changes to the Congestion Charge are effective in managing traffic levels in the zone. TfL analysis predicts that as the Government further eases lockdown restrictions, car traffic levels in central London could double without these temporary changes. With public transport capacity severely constrained due to social distancing, additional space is needed for increased levels of walking and cycling and there simply isn’t room to accommodate this level of traffic.
Charities wishing to enquire about eligibility criteria are invited to contact Team London ([emailprotected]) who are supporting charities in their applications for reimbursements for qualifying trips.

Brexit and EU citizenship (2)

Susan Hall: What was the purpose of your campaign to promote EU ‘associate citizenship’ considering it is clearly illegal and impossible to implement within the EU’s ‘acquis’, not least under Article 20 TFEU which states that EU citizenship is only obtainable via being a citizen of a Member State?

The Mayor: Brexit means that Londoners and British nationals have lost EU Citizenship; which was greatly valued by many of us. “Associate Citizenship” would give British nationals a way to keep the same rights they have enjoyed up until now as EU Citizens, especially the right to move and reside freely between different EU member states. There is good will on the EU side to explore ideas like these, with the European Parliament committed to explore, within the limits of EU law, how to address the issues faced by Britons who want to keep their EU citizenship rights. As per my previous answer to you on this question, I regret that the UK Government’s current “red lines” on free movement make progress in this area unlikely.

Helping People to stay mobile and StreetSpace (1)

Jennette Arnold: Elderly and less mobile constituents reliant on cars to stay mobile are finding themselves cut off from services due to changes resulting from your StreetSpace scheme. Can you please provide details of Equalities Impact Assessments or other assessments that have been made to understand the impact of StreetSpace on groups such as these?

The Mayor: My Streetspace for London Plan seeks to respond to the current public health imperative and Government guidance by helping to make temporary space for walking, protect bus journey times and improve cycling conditions to enable people to maintain social distancing, particularly at busy times. This is to ensure that the likelihood of danger to the public by the transmission of the coronavirus is minimised.
We know that not every journey can be walked or cycled and for some people this may not be an option. But millions of journeys can be made that way. We want to enable all those who can, to walk and cycle - freeing up space on public transport and roads for those that can’t.
I would like to assure you that care has been taken in developing proposals to ensure that disabled access to businesses and services is maintained and that consideration is given to all road users, including those with protected characteristics. Transport for London (TfL) has been focusing on developing clear inclusive design guidance for social distancing and cycling schemes, which are to be supported by equality impact assessments at a programme level. Where schemes have led to changes that impact on accessibility or inclusion, TfL will look to mitigate any potentially negative impacts wherever possible. TfL is also engaging widely with stakeholders who represent older and disabled Londoners to better understand the impacts of the Streetspace plans. TfL will assess the impacts of the schemes on older and disabled Londoners and an understanding of any impacts will be fed into future decisions on schemes.
It should be noted that TfL is allocating funding to a substantial number of Streetspace schemes that are being developed and delivered by London boroughs, and that boroughs are responsible for undertaking appropriate equality impact assessments for schemes for which they are the Highway Authority.

Helping People to stay mobile and StreetSpace (2)

Jennette Arnold: What mitigations have been made to the SteetSpace scheme to allow those with less mobility and unable to walk or cycle to access local services?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/2244.

Brexit and the transition period (1)

Susan Hall: Given that the formal deadline for the UK to request an extension to the transition period (30th June 2020) has now passed, are you intending to continue to campaign for an extension? If so, why?

The Mayor: I am disappointed that the Government chose not to extend the transition period. But as we have seen throughout these protracted Brexit discussions, further extensions are always negotiable. I will continue to make the case that an extension to the transition period is the pragmatic choice for both sides. It is clear to me that the negotiations with the EU are not making sufficient progress towards the comprehensive trade deal that would minimise the negative impact of Brexit on our economy by preserving our access to the single market. Businesses and public services urgently need breathing space to focus on surviving and recovering from the pandemic. The further disruption of tariffs, red tape and new immigration rules when we leave the single market and customs union at the end of the year will increase costs for businesses and will most likely make some businesses uneconomic.

Brexit and EU citizenship (1)

Susan Hall: In February this year, you advocated for the idea of an EU ‘associate citizenship’ available for UK citizens. What progress, if any, has been made on this and have you had any discussions with representatives of the European Commission?

The Mayor: Earlier in the year I met EU leaders in Brussels and called for the UK and EU to agree a form of ‘Associate Citizenship’ as part of their talks about the future relationship. I subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister about this, and raised the issue again when I met the EU Ambassador to the UK João Vale de Almeida during a visit to London in early March. While the EU is open to exploring these ideas, they would appear to remain unachievable given the UK Government’s current “red lines” on free movement. Were this to change, it is clear there would be wide support for “Associate Citizenship” from many Londoners and British nationals who are devastated to have lost their rights as EU Citizens.

Agency Bus Drivers and Safety Performance

Caroline Pidgeon: Section 1.11 in Mayor Decision 2562 states “around 3 per cent of drivers are agency staff on any given day.” Does TfL have any time series data which analyses the safety performance of these agency drivers and how it compares to drivers who work directly for bus operators?

The Mayor: Although Transport for London knows the percentage of agency drivers working for its bus operators, performance data to differentiate agency drivers from others is not separated out.
Eradicating deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads is a priority for me. Bus operators are required to include all relevant information relating to root and contributory causes in their investigations of serious incidents. Data required does not include differentiating between agency and non-agency bus drivers, but it does include details about the driver’s length of service and experience, time spent driving on the route in question, and behaviours prior to the incident. The intention of incident investigation is to prevent reoccurrence and learn lessons.

London Transport Workers hospitalised as a result of Covid-19 Infections

Keith Prince: How many London Transport Workers were hospitalised as a result of Covid-19? Please show this data by transport mode and position held by casualty (‘Bus Driver, Tram Worker, Train Driver’).

The Mayor: Neither Transport for London nor its partner organisations hold information on the number of transport workers who have been hospitalised due to coronavirus related illness. Coronavirus related sickness absence is recorded, however this does not specifically capture whether an individual has been hospitalised.

Road Changes EIAs

Keith Prince: Can you release to the Assembly the equalities impact assessments for all the road closures and changes TfL has implemented over the last two months?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/2244.

Cycle Hire Scheme (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please publish a table showing separately for each month since July 2019 the average time per day that each docking station had: a)no available bikes, b)no available docking spaces for bike.

The Mayor: Please find attached the Cycle Hire scheme data as an Excel spreadsheet showing the average daily number of full/empty minutes by month since July 2019.

Tube Stations (2)

Tony Devenish: Please provide a comprehensive list of all the Tube stations that are still closed or were closed during lockdown, including the dates each station closed, the dates each station that has re-opened did so and any planned dates for station yet to re-open to do so.

The Mayor: Following government advice to stop non-essential social contact in March 2020, Transport for London (TfL) made a number of changes to services due to high levels of staff absence and to ensure a safe and reliable service for those who needed to make essential journeys.
The stations to be closed were carefully chosen through a variety of factors, including choosing quieter stations that did not interchange with other lines and/or with national rail services, and those that had alternative routes/stations in close proximity. This allowed TfL to keep stations open near key locations such at hospitals.
Between 19 and 21 March, TfL closed 37 stations.
As the lockdown started to ease in England, on 18 May TfL began its phased station reopening, as follows.
The remaining stations to be reopened are Charing Cross, Stepney Green, South Wimbledon, Tufnell Park, Manor House, Covent Garden, St James’s Park, Temple, Regent’s Park, Goodge Street, Borough, Lancaster Gate, Chalk Farm, Heathrow T4. There are currently no dates set for this, and the situation is kept under regular review.

Support for small community organisations through the pandemic

Onkar Sahota: What support have you provided for small, community and specialist organisations that play a particular role in wellbeing in London?

The Mayor: Small community and specialist organisations play a vital role in responding to Covid-19. Working with London Funders and City Bridge Trust, we developed the London Community Response Fund. I donated £5m and with contributions from 70 other funders, over £23 million was raised. The Fund has supported over 1600 organisations to date across all 32 London boroughs.
We have worked to embed equality and inclusion principles into the fund to ensure small and specialist organisations can access funding. This includes making direct grants to BAME, LGBT+, Women’s led, Somali, Gypsy and Traveller and Disabled led civil society support organisations to provide strategic support and outreach.
Wave three of the fund prioritises supporting small organisations and those led by and for marginalised communities and those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Through the London Community Response Survey we have also been able to highlight the need for funding for mental health and wellbeing support.
During Volunteers’ Week 2020, I provided £25,000 in small grants to grassroots organisations to fund volunteering expenses. We are supporting the voluntary sector through a social prescribing network and providing resources, toolkits and case studies. Their input to my social prescribing advisory group has ensured we understand local priorities and challenges and support accordingly.

Maida Vale Tube station & social distancing

Murad Qureshi: With social distancing being practised throughout the Tube system in response to COVID-19, is it not time to open up the old street exit of Maida Vale Tube station?

The Mayor: In response to the coronavirus outbreak, and the significant reduction in its fares income, Transport for London (TfL) is reviewing all projects in order to focus on those which are essential for running and maintaining public transport services, while also preserving an investment programme which supports the economy and social distancing.
Maida Vale Tube station continues to operate well. New measures, including additional customer signage, have been put in place since the coronavirus outbreak, in order to help customer flows within the station.
Re-opening this entrance after more than thirty years of disuse would require significant costs to install and staff the gateline, as well as additional security measures, including increased checks and upgraded CCTV. Improvements would be required to lighting and customer information systems. In addition, the station is Grade II listed, meaning any changes would require consent from the local authority.
Given these very significant costs, TfL is not currently planning to reopen this station entrance.

Residential Tube Noise

Navin Shah: Residents on the Kingsbury Curve are still suffering from extreme tube noise. Constituents inform me that the noise level exceeds 82 decibels. Your answer to my previous question (2019/21001) on this issue stated ‘TfL will shortly begin work to reduce the cant (the height difference between the two rails), which it anticipates will reduce noise levels. TfL will be writing to local residents who have been impacted by noise issues this month, to keep them updated on this work.’ Did this take place and why have residents seen no change?

The Mayor: I can confirm that the track works to reduce the cant (the height difference between the two rails) were completed by Transport for London (TfL) in March 2020.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, in March 2020 TfL temporarily suspended its residential noise monitoring programme, meaning it has been unable to assess the impact of this work. This monitoring programme will be resuming over the coming weeks, and TfL will contact local residents in this area to arrange for further noise measurements to be carried out.
TfL is aware that some local residents in this area are still experiencing disturbance as a result of Tube noise and is investigating whether further train-borne lubrication could be effective in reducing noise in this area.

Food for vulnerable people

Andrew Dismore: The Government appears to be ending its programme to provide food to vulnerable people, will you be working with voluntary organisations to take up this challenge?

The Mayor: Ensuring vulnerable people can access the food they need has been one of my key priorities throughout the Covid-19 crisis. I have established a London Food Board Food Aid Sub-Group to oversee the emergency food aid situation which includes representatives from local authorities, charities and the voluntary sector. I have worked with the London Food Alliance to establish Community Food Hubs in every borough and help direct food supplies to charities and released funding to enable food charities to support vulnerable groups through the London Community Response.
Work is currently underway to establish how local authorities and partners will be continuing to support vulnerable people who may struggle to access food as shielding support ends.
Whilst vital during the Covid-19 crisis, food aid is not a sustainable solution to food insecurity.I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure every Londoner can access a healthy, affordable and sustainable diet regardless of where they live or their circumstances.

Workforce Integration Network and COVID-19 (1)

Jennette Arnold: What impact has COVID-19 had on your Workforce Integration Network

The Mayor: It is clear the pandemic has disproportionately affected BAME Londoners, deepening existing inequalities. The impact of Covid-19 on access to work reminds us of the importance of programmes like WIN. It calls for a doubling of our efforts to prevent BAME Londoners suffering deep economic hardship from the oncoming recession and wide-spread redundancies over the next few months.
Across City Hall the pandemic has required us to quickly adapt programmes to deliver in this new context. For WIN this has meant moving parts of the programme online – particularly our engagement with young people. We are aware of the challenge this will present for some young people in accessing digital equipment and are working with businesses and stakeholders to address this. The pandemic has also had a significant effect on job opportunities in the construction sector. We are working with City Intelligence to review our sector focus and identify opportunities to include new growth sectors.

Covid-19 Impact on Somali Community

Tony Devenish: Did you read the very moving article in the FT "Coronavirus takes heavy toll on east London's somali community” (dated 23 June 2020)? What specifically can you do to actively make sure lessons are learnt?

The Mayor: Throughout the pandemic I have ensured London’s Somali communities are heard and included in our response to the crisis. The London Community Response (LCR) Survey, completed by civil society orgs, some of which are Somali-led, provides weekly data on the needs of Londoners. My Deputy Mayor for Social Integration hosted a roundtable with the Somali community, and the Council of Somali Organisations has received LCRFunding to assist in providing vital services, including supporting other organisations to access the fund.
Addressing the inequalities which have caused a harsher impact of Covid-19 on London’s Somali communities and others, is key to London’s recovery. I am leading a programme of work to address these disproportionate impacts, including commissioning the University of Manchester to conduct a rapid review of the evidence and reflecting on how the recommendations from the Public Health England Report can reduce health inequalities.
Evidence has shown inequality in the labour market played a role in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on different groups. The Workforce Integration Network will continue to improve pathways to good work for young black men and young BAME Londoners.

Marble Arch Underground Station

David Kurten: I note that the only down escalator at Marble Arch Underground Station has now been out of service for some six months and this is not the first time in recent years that travellers from that locality have been inconvenienced by its unavailability. When is it likely to be working again?

The Mayor: The escalator at Marble Arch station has been out of service since early March 2020 and was originally due to be returned to service in June 2020. Transport for London (TfL) is carrying out vital works to replace parts of the chain on this escalator, to ensure its continued safe and reliable operation.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus outbreak, TfL suspended these works in March 2020, to focus on safety critical tasks. The team previously working at Marble Arch has been reallocated to carry out essential maintenance works on a faulty escalator at Bank station, following which they will resume their work at Marble Arch station in August. TfL expects that the escalator will be returned to service by October 2020.
Next year, TfL will carry out similar works on the remaining escalator at Marble Arch. These works will take approximately sixteen weeks and are currently scheduled to start in early 2021. During this time, the station will continue to operate as it does now, with customers accessing the lower concourse via the fixed staircase, and exiting via the remaining escalator.

Londoners with insecure immigration status (1)

Jennette Arnold: As London marks another Windrush Day, can you provide an update on your programme to provide legal advice for Londoners with insecure immigration status? How many Londoners have benefited so far?

The Mayor: I’ve contributed £310,000 to the Justice Together initiative, as the first city leader to do so. I join an alliance of philanthropic funders who have contributed more than £9 million of new funding for immigration advice nationally over the next 5 years. The initiative will strengthen the long-term capacity of advice organisations and ensure that advice is effective and sustainably resourced. This will crucially help people to access legal advice and representation. Alongside offering funding, the initiative will support partners to improve the power and influence of people who use the system.
The design and set-up of the new initiative have begun, and grants will begin in late 2020 - project timescales have been adjusted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. GLA funding will contribute towards quality intelligence and insight to inform funding granted in London, increased funding to the sector and improved advice coordination in London, including for the Windrush generation.

Londoners with insecure immigration status (2)

Jennette Arnold: How specifically are you supporting the 133,000 young Londoners who risk not being able to access further and higher education?

The Mayor: I have invested unprecedented amounts into immigration advice so that young Londoners can secure their residency and citizenship rights and therefore their access to further and higher education. This includes £310,000 to the Justice Together Initiative, joining £9 million of new funding committed by private funders for the immigration advice sector. I have contributed a further £24,000 towards the Citizenship Payment Plan, providing interest-free loans to families of eligible children to cover the cost of citizenship applications. I have developed bespoke guidance for young Londoners with insecure status available on London.gov, and I continue to advocate for shorter more affordable routes to residency and citizenship.
I have written to the Government to request a more inclusive approach to Adult Education Budget eligibility rules that would improve access to learning for Londoners with less secure immigration status. A number of London’s universities, including King’s College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science, already offer bursaries and other programmes for students with a less secure immigration status. I have welcomed these steps towards a more inclusive admissions process where all Londoners with the ability to succeed in higher education are supported to do so.

A406 Between Bounds Green Road and Green Lanes (2)

Joanne McCartney: Will you ensure there is sufficient signage for the 30mph stretch of the A406 between Bounds Green Road and Green Lanes? Residents have raised concerns that there are insufficient traffic calming measures in place.

The Mayor: Enforcing safe speeds remains a priority for both Transport for London (TfL) and the police and is at the heart of my Vision Zero Action Plan - which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s streets by 2041.
TfL will review the 30mph signage in the area. If that review identifies that more signage is needed, TfL will install it as soon as possible.
Tackling speeding offences is a shared priority for the Metropolitan Police Service and TfL, and together they are giving speed enforcement an even higher profile. The MPS Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC), which is jointly funded by TfL, is making significant progress on its Vision Zero plans, removing dangerous drivers and vehicles from the roads. Together with TfL, the RTPC is also progressing plans to significantly increase the levels of both on-street and safety camera speed enforcement activity.

Route Results for London Bus Services

Alison Moore: Can you provide me with a copy of the data in excel format? Can you commit to publishing the data in excel format in the future so the data can be interrogated?

The Mayor: The Quality Service Indicators (QSI) performance data that Transport for London usually publishes on its website each quarter will be refreshed by the end of August. The data is published in pdf form so it cannot be altered online but this does not stop users from downloading it and extracting data for their own analysis. However, I have asked Transport for London to send you the Q4 data for 2019/20 in Excel format.